Swing-around bubble-making toy

ABSTRACT

A toy has a reservoir of bubble-producing liquid that communicates through one or more small exit holes with a hollow stem whose side wall is formed with multiple ports. As the toy is swung through the air by a line attached to the reservoir, centrifugal force presses droplets or charges of bubble-producing liquid through the exit holes onto the interior surface of the hollow stem where the liquid spreads over the ports to form films. Grasping the toy and holding it generally upright while moving it back and forth within a narrow range will similarly permit gravitational force to feed droplets to the ports. Streams of air slipping through the ports encounter the films and convert them into a trail of bubbles. Successive droplets of bubble-producing liquid are constantly supplied under external force to restore or reconstitute the films.

United States Patent 1 La Fata et al.

[451 July 17,1973

[ SWTNG-AROUND BUBBLE-MAKING TOY [75] Inventors: John Edward La Fm, 5000 Marlin Way, Oxnard, Calif. 93030; John D. Cuccio, 808 N. Signal St., Ojai, Calif. 93023 [73] Assignees: John Edward La Fata, Oxnard; John D. Cuccio, Ojai, Calif. part interest to each 221 Filed: Sept. 25, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 291,958

Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-D. L. Weinhold Attorney-Pastoriza & Kelly [57] ABSTRACT A toy has a reservoir of bubble-producing liquid that communicates through one or more small exit holes with a hollow stem whose side wall is formed with multiple ports.

As the toy is swung through the air by a line attached to the reservoir, centrifugal force presses droplets or charges of bubble-producing liquid through the exit holes onto the interior surface of the hollow stem where the liquid spreads over the ports to form films. Grasping the toy and holding it generally upright while moving it back and forth within a narrow range will similarly permit gravitational force to feed droplets to the ports.

15 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures SHEET 2 0F 2 FATE-NIH; JUL 1 7 I975 FIG.3

FIG.4

1 SWING-AROUND BUBBLE-MAKING TOY BACKGROUND OF INVENTION This invention generally relates to bubble-producing devices and more specifically to a toy capable of generating bubbles in reaction to being swirled around through the air.

A long-time favorite pastime and constant source of amusement'and fascination for children is the making of bubbles from soapy solutions. Numerous devices, both simple and complex, have been used and suggested over the years.

Perhaps the most common type of bubble-making devices involve rings or dip sticks that are dunked into a solution. The resulting soapy films are then converted into bubbles by either blowing against them or pulling them through the air.

Variations of these types of devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,295,248 to Knerr, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 2,858,639 to Lawrence. While these devices are simple to use they are accompanied by drippage, spillage and general messiness which are annoying and seemingly unavoidable problems.

The concept of causing bubbles to be produced by auxiliary rotating and mechanical parts as a toy is being flown through the air is known as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,008,263 to Ellman. Encountered air drives a propeller whose shaft in turn drives film-forming rings through a confined and sloshing source of bubbleproducing liquid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated this invention comprehends a simple, inexpensive and highly amusing toy for making many bubbles simultaneously, the toy being virtually indestructible under normal operational conditions and having either very few moving parts or no moving parts at all.

In its broader aspects, the toy is essentially constructed from a container having a base portion formed with at least one exit hole, the container serving as a reservoir for bubble-producing liquid. A hollow stem has an'open end coupled to the container base portion and is arranged adjacent to the exit hole. A plurality of ports are formed throughthe side wall of the hollow stem. When the toy is grasped and moved centrifugal and/or gravitational force causes the bubble-producing liquid to flow through the exit hole onto the hollow stern interior periphery in order to cover at least some of the ports with soapy films. When the films are encountered by stre'ams of air they are converted into bubbles, many of which will cling together to form groupings or clusters of bubbles.

A line may be attached to the container at a location generally opposite to the container base portion in order to permit a person to swing the toy around in a circular path and cause centrifugal force to drive the bubble-producing liquid outwardly to the hollow stem. Alternatively, a person may simply grasp the toy and wiggle the toy or move it back and forth in a pendulumlike motion within a narrow path during which gravitational force will cause the bubble-producing liquid to eventually flow to the ports.

Preferably multiple exit ports are formed in the container base portion and at least some of them are positioned adjacent the inner edge of the hollow stem open end to facilitate depositing droplets of bubbleproducing liquid onto the inner periphery.

The container is preferably either spherically or cylindrically shaped and includes one or more inlet apertures to prevent a vacuum from being developed as the bubble-producing liquid is gradually exhausted. To facilitate replenishing the supply of bubble-producing liquid, a removable cap covers a recharge opening formed in the container. The line is secured to the removable cap.

The hollow stem has a tubular configuration and an open distal end through which air, which has entered the hollow stem by way of various ports, may be discharged in order to increase the bubble-making capacity. The hollow stern may be formed with a plurality of ports from end to end that generally and progressively increase in size towards the distal end of the hollow stem with at least some adjacent rows of longitudinally aligned ports being mutually staggered.

The distal end of the hollow stem may be covered with a removable drip collecting closure that prevents spillage and splatter. Moreover, a sponge may be dispsoed within the closure in order to soak up excess drips of bubble-producing liquid for possible reuse.

In another embodiment of the toy constructed in accordance with this invention, a valve means is included for selectively closing and opening the base portion exit hole in order to restrict and permitthe flow of bubbleproducing liquid. Preferably the valve means is a slide valve constituted by a wall segment of the hollow stem.

More specifically, the container base portion is a sleeve constituted by an inverted cup portion formed with multiple spaced exit holes and a depending skirt portion formed with a radial slot. The hollow stern wall segment has multiple edge notches spaced and sized to register with corresponding exit holes. A peg is disposed through the slot and into contact with the hollow stem to assist in holding the container and hollow stem together and also to limit the amount of rotation between the container and hollow stem during valveopening action and valve-closing action.

From a process standpoint, the broader aspects of this invention for generating bubbles involves the steps of swinging around through the air a toy having a reservoir containing bubble-producing liquid and a hollow stem whose side walls are formed with ports. A centrifugal force is created on the toy which forces the bubble-producing liquid from the reservoir onto the inner periphery of the hollow stem. The liquid is spread over portions of the hollow stem innerperiphery and covers at least some of the ports with films of bubbleproducing liquid. Streams of air impinging the films convert them into bubbles. By alternately swinging the toy around faster and then slower, corresponding smaller and then larger bubbles can be created.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ulating the toy constructed in accordance with this invention to create bubbles;

FIG. 2 is a sectional, partially fragmentary view showing how bubble-producing liquid can be caused to constitute thin films;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing how bubbles can be formed as the toy is swung through the air;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing an alternative embodiment constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational, partially sectional view showing how a stand may be used to aid in pre-forming films in the ports of the toy;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational, fragmentary view of another embodiment of the toy constructed in accordance with this invention wherein the container and hollow stem are coupled together through a slide valve means and may be mutually rotated within a slight range of arcuate displacement; and,

FIG. 7 is a side elevational, fragmentary and longitudinal sectional view corresponding with that of FIG. 6 and showing the valve means in its open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now primarily to FIG. 1, a person is shown swinging a bubble-making toy 10 through the air in a generally circular path to generate bubbles B. The toy 10 has a container 11 which constitutes a reservoir for bubble-producing liquid and a hollow stem 12 secured to and extending outwardly from the container 11. The hollow stem 12 is formed from .end to end with a multitude of ports 13. Attached to one end of container 11 is a line 14 terminating in a handle 15 that may be grasped by the persons hand 16 in order to swirl the toy 10 through the air.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 2, the container 11 is shown as a spherically shaped reservoir having a base portion 20 formed'therethrough in a central location, with a plurality of exit holes 21. Bubble-producing liquid 22 is forced, by centrifugal and/or gravitational forces in a manner to be fully explained, to be discharged or trickled through the exit holes 21 into the adjacent hollow stem 12. The hollow stem 12 has an inner or proximal end 23 which is open and secured to the container base portion 20 in a manner to surround the generally confine the multiple exit holes 21. The hollow stem 12 is generally circular in cross-section and has a side wall 24 defining an interior periphery 25 and an exterior periphery 26. The multiple ports 13 extend entirely through the side wall 24 from interior periphery 25 to exterior periphery 26.

During operational conditions portions of the hubble-producing liquid 22 are constantly dirven through exit holes 21 as indicated by directional arrows 27 where resulting droplets 28 or the like are cuased to impinge and spread over the interior periphery 25 and eventually diffuse and stretch across the ports 13 to form thin films F of bubble-producing liquid. The ports 13 are continuously loaded or replenished with film F of bubble-producing liquid so long as the external force, i.e., centrifugal and/or gravitational force, is exerted upon the reservoir liquid 27.

The container base portion 20 and adajcent proximal end 23 of the hollow stem 12 are shown integrally formed as a unitary structure but may, alternatively, be movably coupled together in a manner to be described in conjunction with FIGS. 6 and 7. The container 11 and hollow stem 12 may be assembled from molded split sections.

A removable drip-collecting closure 36 may be optionally secured to the outer or distal end (not shown) of hollow stem 12. The closure 36 may be attached by frictional engagment, a threaded engagement, snap fitting interlock elements or the like. One purpose of closure 36 is to prevent excess bubble-producing liquid 22 that has travelled through the entire length of the hollow stem 12 from spilling and splattering. Another purpose is to collect and save the excess bubble-producing liquid 22 for possible reuse or disposal. In this regard,

a plastic or rubber sponge 37 is confined within closure 36 for soaking up and better handling the liquid 22. An ornamental or amusing spinner or propeller 38 is secured to closure 36. When, for example, the sponge 37 becomes saturated, the closure 36 may be withdrawn from hollow stem 12 so that liquid 22 held by the sponge 37 may be squeezed out and returned to the reservoir container 11.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the bubble-making toy 10 is shown being swung in a direction D so that as the surrounding air is encountered, streams of air A are caused to impinge against and eventually slip through the ports 13. The interaction between the air streams A and the thin films F causes many bubbles to be simultaneously created. Bubbles fully formed and free to drift about are indicated by letter B and bubbles that are partially formedare indicated by designation 8,. Some bubbles are shown clinging together in groups or clusters of various sizes. The centrifugal force C, exerted against the reservoir of bubble-producing liquid constantly impels further droplets onto the hollow stem interior periphery 25 .so that the bubbles may be continuously created until the bubble-producing liquid I is depleted.

The area or end of container 11 opposite from base portion 20 is formed with a threaded neck 30 which constitutes a recharge opening that is sealed by a removable cap 31. The central portion of the removable cap 31 mounts the tether or line 14. Adjacent neck 30 is one or more air inlet apertures 32 that function to prevent a vacuum from forming within container 11 so as the bubblesproducing liquid is being steadily driven out and depleted. When the bubble-producing liquid is substantially exhausted, then the cap 31 may be removed in order to replenish the container 11 with a supply of bubble-producing liquid.

The hollow stem 12 is generally of tubular configuration with a circular cross section and an open distal end 33 through which segments of the air streams may be discharged in order to increase the bubble-making capacity of the toy 10. Generally the bubble-making capacity of toy 10 would be greater with the closure 36 shown in FIG. 2 removed. Depending upon the path of movement through which the toy 10 is maneuvered, some bubbles may be partially formed by and permitted to escape through the opening defined by distal end 33.

Referring primarily to FIG. 4, an additional embodiment of a toy constructed in accordance with this invention is shown, departing from the one previously described primarily due to the configuration of container 11 which is characterized by a cylindrical housing 35. By this construction, the bubble-producing liquid may be substantially fully exhausted before replenishment becomes necessary. Assuming the spherical container and cylindrical container to be of equal volume capacity, then the cylindrical container would require recharging less frequently. V

The hollow stem 12 has a number of longitudinally extending rows of ports that are formed substantially continuously between the proximal or inner end 23 and Y outer or distal end 33. The ports of adjacent rows are staggered so as to minimize interference between bubbles being developed. The ports are preferably oblong or oval shaped with their major axes aligned with the longitudinal axis of hollow stem 12. The ports 13a of the intermediate row are shown staggered relative to the ports 13 of the adjacent rows.

It is not essential to attach a line 14 to the container 11 or removable cap 31 inasmuch as it is not necessary to swing the toy around in a full circular path to generate bubbles. The coaction of gravitational force and movement of air through the ports will produce bubbles. For example, a person may grasp the toy by cap 31 or cylindrical housing 35 in order to swing the toy back and forth in pendulum-like fashion through a relatively short path of movement represented by directional arrow P. Gravitational force will cause the liquid to continuously reload the ports 13 and 13a while the air encounters the films to create bubbles. The bubbles chanical fan forced air through the ports 13 and 13a.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the bubble-making toy 10 is shown resting within and being supported by a hollow stand 40. The stand 40 has a flat stable base 41 and a top end or neck 42 whose diameter is just slightly greater than the diameter of hollow stem 12. The hollow stand may be used for supporting the toy 10 when it is not being used, permitting excess from toy 10 to be drained and saved and serving as a source of supply or auxiliary reservoir. Mose importantly, however, the hollow stand may be used to assist in pre-forming thin films F of bubble-producing liquid. One way to initiate the making of these preformed films is to gently shake the toy 10 until bubble-producing liquid flows into the hollow stem 12, at which time the toy 10 may be reciprocated back and forth with asliding action within the hollow stand 40 while being twisted or rotated. The close-fitting engagement between. the neck 42 and the hollow stem 12 promotes spreading or diffusing of the liquid across the ports 13 in order to develop the films F.

Alternatively, the hollow stem 12 may be dipped directly into a supply source of bubble-making liquid. It should be understood, however, that it is not necessary to create pre-formed films over the ports prior to using the toy 10. The primary advantage of using stand 40 in the manner described above is to be able to more quickly create the films F so that bubbles can be more quickly generated. Once the films F are formed in any manner and gravitational and/or centrifugal force is exerted on the reservoir liquid, some of the ports will be constantly reloaded to maintain the films F.

Preferably the end-to-end length L, of the hollow stem 12 is at least one and one-half times as long as the length L, of the container 11.

Another embodiment of the toy is shown in FIG, 6 and FIG. 7 that is characterized by a reservoid container 50 shaped by a cylindrical housing 51 having a base portion 52 in the form of a sleeve whose diameter is less than that of housing 51. The base portion 52 includes a depending skirt part 53 in which is formed a radially extending arcuate slot 54. Movably coupled within base portion 52 is a hollow stem 55 whose proximal end 56 is inserted fully within the depending skirt 53. The hollow stem 55 includes plural rows of elongated ports 58 and plural alternating rows or elongated ports 59. The elongated ports of adjacent rows are mutually staggered. Extending entirely through slot 54 and penetrating into hollow stem 55 is a peg 60 that can be selectively manually repositioned at any point between the extreme ends of slot 54. The reservoir containter 50 and hollow stem 55 can be mutually rotated through an arcuate displacement equal to the arc defined by slot 54.

Referring primarily to FIG. 7, the reservoir container 50 and hollowstem 55 are rotatably coupled together through a valve means provided to selectively cut off or allow the flow of bubble-producing liquid 70. The container base portion 52 also has an inverted cup part 63 which is raised to project partially into the interior of cylindrical housing 51. The inverted cup 63 is formed with a plurality of equidistantly spaced holes such as holes 64, 65 and 66. The inverted cup 63 and cylindrical housing 51 define a torus-shaped channel 68 which, in part, serves as a trap for sediment specs 69 that would generally fall below the levels of holes 64, 65 and 66 so as to not cause clogging or interference with the free flow of liquid 70 into hollow stem 55 indicated bythe directional arrow 71. The resulting droplets ,72 of liquid 70 flow against the interior periphery of hollow stem 55 and eventually form the film s, F in a manner previously described.

An upper wall segment of the hollow stem 55 constitutes a slide valve and its edge is formed with equidistantly spaced notches 76, 77 and 78 shown oriented in registering relationship with corresponding exit holes 64, 65 and 66. Between the notches are blocking shoulders 80 and 81 which may be rotated to cover exit hole 76 and 77 and thereby cut off the flow of liquid 70. When the slide valve is fully closed, then the components would assume relative positions as shown in FIG. 6 and when the slide valve is fully open, then the components would assume positions as illustrated in'FIG. 7.

The sizes and shapes and numbers of exit holes,

notches and blocking shoulders may be modified to adjust the amount of flow within predetermined limits. For example, the exit ports could be radially aligned arcuate slots that could be partially blocked in order to constitute predetermined amounts of flow for producing predetermined amounts of bubbles, etc.

OPERATION Keeping the above toy constructions and procedure in mind, it can be understood how the previously described disadvantages of conventional bubble-making toys are overcome or substantially eliminated by the present invention.

The operation of the toy 10 will be described, by way the bubble-producing liquid 22 will flow through exit holes 21 onto interior periphery 25 and outwardly through some of the ports 13. Due to the close-fitting engagement between neck 42 and the hollow stem 12, manual reciprocation and twisting of the hollow stem 12 will promote the spreading of liquid in general and stretching of films in particular across the ports 13. This starting action will create the initial or pre-formed films.

The stem 12 is thereafter prepared to accept and distribute the droplets or charges of bubble-producing liquid 22 on an uninterrupted basis so long as centrifugal and/or gravitational force is exerted upon the reservoir liquid. The droplets 28 being constantly supplied will continuously spread across the ports to reload them and generally maintain the films F.

As the streams of air A pass through the film-loaded ports 13, the films F will be shaped into partial bubbles B and eventually into full formed bubbles B. As a fully formed bubble breaks away from its port, either the film left behind will produce the next consecutive bubble or if that film is totally ruptured then-a new film will be quickly constituted from newly supplied droplets of liquid. In any event, the port will be replenished or reloaded with a film for conversion into further bubbles. The cycle will continue until either the reservoir liquid is depleted or the person takes steps to terminate the gravitational and/orcentrifugal force exerted on the reservoir liquid or the flow of liquid is cut off by some external means.

Toy may be swung in a circular path with a horizontal plane, in a circular path within a vertical plane or in any curved path during which centrifugal and/or gravitational force is exerted on the bubble-producing liquid 22. Relatively smaller and larger bubbles may be altematingly created by swinging the toy 10 around at faster and then slower speeds. At slower speeds the bubbles will be generally larger. Many bubbles fully formed will cling to one another.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that the present invention has provided a swing-around bubble-making toy and process in which all of the various advantages are fully realized.

What is claimed is:

1. A swing-around bubble-making toy comprising a. a container having a base portion formed with at least one exit hole, the container constituting a reservoir for bubble-producing liquid;

b. a hollow stem with an open end secured to the container base portion and arranged to surround the exit hole, the hollow stern having a side wall defining an interior periphery and an exterior periphery;

c. plural ports formed through the hollow stem side wall; and,

d. a line attached to the container at a location generally opposite the base portion,

wherein when the line is grasped and used to swing the toy around through the air centrifugal force will cause the bubble-producing liquid to flow through the exit hole onto the hollow stem interior periphery, the bubble-producing liquid will cover at least some of the ports with films and, streams of air impinging the films will convert them into bub bles.

2. The structure according to claim 1 including:

multiple exit ports positioned adjacent to the inner edge of the hollow stem open end to facilitate depositing charges of bubble-producing liquid onto the inner periphery of the hollow stem.

3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein:

the container is generally spherically shaped and includes an air inlet aperture to prevent a vacuum from forming as the bubble-producing liquid is being exhausted, and, a recharge opening covered with a removable cap that may be used to replenish the supply of bubble-producing liquid, and,

the line is secured to the removable cap.

4. The structure according to claim 1, wherein:

the container is generally cylindrically shaped so that the supply of bubble-producing liquid may be substantially fully exhausted before replenishment becomes necessary.

5. The structure according to claim 1, wherein:

the hollow stem is of tubular configuration with an open distal end through which air may be discharged in order to increase the bubble-making capacity.

6. The structure according to claim 5, wherein:

the hollow stem is formed with plural ports from end to end that generally and progressively increase in size towards the distal end with at least some adjacent rows of longitudinally aligned ports being mutually staggered.

7. The structure according to claim 6, wherein:

at least-some of the ports are oblong shaped with their major axes aligned with the longitudinal axis of the hollow stem,.and,

the end to end length of the hollow stem is at least one and one-half times that of the container.

8. The structure according to claim 5 including:

a hollow stand with an open top end whose interior portion is slightly greater than the hollow stem exterior periphery,

wherein the hollow stand may be used for the dual purposes of supporting the toy when not being used and, aiding to pre-form films in the ports.

9. A bubble-making toy comprising:

a. a container having a base portion formed with at least one exit hole, the container constituting a reservoir for bubble-producing liquid b. a hollow stem with an open end coupled tothe container base portion and arranged adjacent to the exit hole; and,

c. plural ports formed through the hollow stem side wall,

wherein when the toy is grasped and moved centrifugal or gravitational force causes the bubbleproducing liquid to flow through the exit hole onto the hollow stem interior periphery to cover at least some of the ports with films capable of being converted into bubbles by streams of air impinging the films. I

10. The structure according to claim 9 including:

valve means for selectively closing and opening the base portion exit hole to restrict and permit the flow of bubble-producing liquid.

11. The structure according to claim 10 wherein:

the valve menas is a slide valve constituted by a wall segment of the hollow stem.

12. The structure according to claim 11 wherein;

the container base portion is a sleeve constituted by an inverted cup portion formed with multiple spaced exit holes and a depending skirt portion formed with a radial slot,

the hollow stem wall segment has multiple edge notches spaced and sized to register with corresponding exit holes, and,

a peg is disposed through the slot and into contact with the hollow stem to assist in holding the container and hollow stem together and limit the amount of rotation between the container and hollow stem during valve-opening action and valveclosing action.

13. The structure according to claim 9, including:

a drip collecting closure removably secured to the 

1. A swing-around bubble-making toy comprising a. a container having a base portion formed with at least one exit hole, the container constituting a reservoir for bubbleproducing liquid; b. a hollow stem with an open end secured to the container bAse portion and arranged to surround the exit hole, the hollow stem having a side wall defining an interior periphery and an exterior periphery; c. plural ports formed through the hollow stem side wall; and, d. a line attached to the container at a location generally opposite the base portion, wherein when the line is grasped and used to swing the toy around through the air - centrifugal force will cause the bubble-producing liquid to flow through the exit hole onto the hollow stem interior periphery, the bubble-producing liquid will cover at least some of the ports with films and, streams of air impinging the films will convert them into bubbles.
 2. The structure according to claim 1 including: multiple exit ports positioned adjacent to the inner edge of the hollow stem open end to facilitate depositing charges of bubble-producing liquid onto the inner periphery of the hollow stem.
 3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein: the container is generally spherically shaped and includes an air inlet aperture to prevent a vacuum from forming as the bubble-producing liquid is being exhausted, and, a recharge opening covered with a removable cap that may be used to replenish the supply of bubble-producing liquid, and, the line is secured to the removable cap.
 4. The structure according to claim 1, wherein: the container is generally cylindrically shaped so that the supply of bubble-producing liquid may be substantially fully exhausted before replenishment becomes necessary.
 5. The structure according to claim 1, wherein: the hollow stem is of tubular configuration with an open distal end through which air may be discharged in order to increase the bubble-making capacity.
 6. The structure according to claim 5, wherein: the hollow stem is formed with plural ports from end to end that generally and progressively increase in size towards the distal end with at least some adjacent rows of longitudinally aligned ports being mutually staggered.
 7. The structure according to claim 6, wherein: at least some of the ports are oblong shaped with their major axes aligned with the longitudinal axis of the hollow stem, and, the end to end length of the hollow stem is at least one and one-half times that of the container.
 8. The structure according to claim 5 including: a hollow stand with an open top end whose interior portion is slightly greater than the hollow stem exterior periphery, wherein the hollow stand may be used for the dual purposes of supporting the toy when not being used and, aiding to pre-form films in the ports.
 9. A bubble-making toy comprising: a. a container having a base portion formed with at least one exit hole, the container constituting a reservoir for bubble-producing liquid ; b. a hollow stem with an open end coupled to the container base portion and arranged adjacent to the exit hole; and, c. plural ports formed through the hollow stem side wall, wherein when the toy is grasped and moved centrifugal or gravitational force causes the bubble-producing liquid to flow through the exit hole onto the hollow stem interior periphery to cover at least some of the ports with films capable of being converted into bubbles by streams of air impinging the films.
 10. The structure according to claim 9 including: valve means for selectively closing and opening the base portion exit hole to restrict and permit the flow of bubble-producing liquid.
 11. The structure according to claim 10 wherein: the valve menas is a slide valve constituted by a wall segment of the hollow stem.
 12. The structure according to claim 11 wherein; the container base portion is a sleeve constituted by an inverted cup portion formed with multiple spaced exit holes and a depending skirt portion formed with a radial slot, the hollow stem wall segment has multiple edge notches spaced and sized to register with corresponding exit holes, and, a peg is disposed thrOugh the slot and into contact with the hollow stem to assist in holding the container and hollow stem together and limit the amount of rotation between the container and hollow stem during valve-opening action and valve-closing action.
 13. The structure according to claim 9, including: a drip collecting closure removably secured to the hollow stem end farthest away from the container.
 14. The structure according to claim 13, including: a sponge in the closure to soak up excess drips of bubble-producing liquid for reuse.
 15. The structure according to claim 9, wherein: the hollow stem is of tubular configuration formed with plural ports from end to end that generally and progressively increase in size towards the distal end with at least some adjacent rows of longitudinally aligned ports being mutually staggered. 